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Oct 25, 2026, 3:49 PM GMT
Matt Smith is a football writer covering the Premier League and exclusive news for GIVEMESPORT. Matt joined the company in March 2023 and is an avid Everton supporter who regularly attends games in his spare time
He has previously worked for CaughtOffside where he covered world football including transfers, match reports, previews, and more. Matt also works for Squakwa, FotMob, WhoScored, and regularly appears on Sky Sports to speak about Everton.
He also creates tactical analysis social media content and regularly appears on podcasts. After spending a few years coaching, playing, and analysing football, Matt moved over to the writing side of the game a few years ago.
Matt also works in commentary and match reporting, providing detailed analysis on some of the biggest games in England and Europe, with his reports regularly published on the Premier League website.
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Manchester United suffered a humiliating defeat at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, and it could spell the end of Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.
Carrick made the huge decision to drop Bruno Fernandes to the bench after he questioned United's tactics during the week, and it's a decision that didn't pay off.
Carrick even opted to keep Fernandes on the bench without bringing him on, despite the Red Devils struggling going forward.
Although Carrick has to take a large portion of the blame for the defeat and their recent performances, he was let down by a number of players against Bournemouth.
In fact, you could argue that a number of them have even potentially cost him his job, with the pressure mounting on the United manager.
Here is how the players performed on our report card.
Couldn’t do an awful lot about the opening two Bournemouth goals, but looked sloppy with the ball at his feet. Often putting his team-mates under pressure in unnecessary situations.
The United goalkeeper was, however, in no-man's-land for Bournemouth’s third of the game, coming out of his box to be beaten by Evanilson.
A huge mistake when slipping to give Bournemouth the chance to make it 2-0. Slightly unlucky, but didn’t look comfortable throughout the game at all.
Clearly not suited to a right-back role, and that’s on Carrick.
Harry Maguire is meant to be the leader and experience at the back, but the defence do not look organised whatsoever.
Carrick needs more from him to help get the best out of others, but the whole defence looks lost at the moment. Certainly some debate as to whether he should have left the ball for Lammens or not for Bournemouth’s third goal.
A nightmare afternoon for the young defender. Constantly giving the ball away and struggling to deal with Bournemouth’s third-man runners.
Clearly not ready to be playing week in week out in the Premier League.
Showed some promise when getting forward down the left-hand side, but final delivery left a lot to be desired.
Left a lot of space for Bournemouth to attack in transition, leaving United exposed at times.
Did it happen before or after?
Round 1 of 9
Not Carlos Baleba’s finest display. Had looked like he was going to help solve United’s midfield issues in recent weeks, but Bournemouth found it too easy to play through the middle. He’d often vacate his position to go and get the ball, leaving United exposed.
Was more involved for United than any other player, trying to make things happen from deep. He didn’t make an awful lot happen, but at least he was trying to progress the ball and was putting himself about.
Showed little to no threat on the right-hand side. Created very little and didn’t give Adrien Truffert a difficult afternoon.
Need to start seeing more from the United winger when he is given an opportunity.
A shocking performance from Youri Tielemans. Was so weak in duels and offered nothing in possession. Shouldn’t be a starter in this team at the moment.
Consistently letting Carrick down. Rightly hooked at half-time. His performances might have cost Carrick his job, but the United boss does keep picking him.
A difficult and unfamiliar role for Mount in this game in the first half. Was brought in more centrally in the second half, but couldn’t put his stamp on the game.
Still, one of United’s better players and was trying to be positive.
Had very little service in the opposition penalty area. The lack of creativity was a real worry for United.
Wasn’t an awful performance from him individually, but did offer nothing in attack, mostly through little fault of his own.
The likes of Heaven, Yoro, and Tielemans may have just cost Carrick his job, as the United manager is going to struggle to recover from this.
It remains to be seen whether Carrick is going to remain at Old Trafford, but after the big decision to drop Fernandes and then to lose, it's not looking good for the manager.